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PULSE OX Readings Low

I routinely get readings at 95%.... its my understanding that your normal pulse ox should be near 100%. (Maybe that isn't correct)

Have others found the same or do you find the Instinct's readings are accurate?

Top Replies

LeslieSnipes over 5 years ago +2

Yep, mine are low. Normally around 93-95 % , I used a finger based pulse ox the other day which read about 98% while the instinct was showing 94%.
sspanak over 5 years ago +1

It's the same as with reading the heart rate - the watch should be strapped tightly to you wrist and you shouldn't be moving if you want accurate results.

This is the first generation of oxygen…
Gonzo over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member +1

I can't speak with accuracy but I would imagine any of these watches is not going to be that accurate compared to a pulse ox that goes directly onto your finger.

All Replies

0 sspanak over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

cpdearie, you can't use it while climbing. As of today it measures oxygen levels only during sleep. But even if it was possible, as with heart rate, you would be better of using a sensor that is built specifically for that. It is hard to get accurate readings from the wrist, especially when it is moving.

0 WaleczneSerce over 4 years ago

for me it always shows 95% how to get a lower result? could air hold produce a lower score?

0 Gonzo over 4 years ago in reply to sspanak

Wait only during sleep? I thought if you were still / sitting you could.

0 Gonzo over 4 years ago in reply to WaleczneSerce

Carbon monoxide poisoning would be one way

0 Casper Felíx over 4 years ago in reply to Gonzo

You can measure pulse ox on demand while you are awake. You just go to the pulse ox screen and wait for it to take a measurement. The most important thing while taking a measurement is to stay as still as possible.

0 Casper Felíx over 4 years ago in reply to sspanak

You can take a pulse ox measurement any time of the day by going to the pulse ox screen. It will take a measurement right there. Totally agree that you need to be very still to get an accurate measurement.

0 tess over 4 years ago in reply to Casper Felíx

You're most likely not going to get an accurate reading from your wrist as opposed to your fingertip. So, expect a reading from your watch that says 95% where a fingertip measurement says 98-99%. Just as a HR strap will give you more precise measurements then your WHR. Your concern should be if you normally get a 95% reading and then it starts to drop from there.

0 dematson over 4 years ago in reply to Gonzo

I always figure that the watch will generally read 2% lower than a finger pulse Ox.

0 rock2ya over 4 years ago

Hi, i made some measurments because i had some realy low readings at sleep.
When i ankle my frist more than 90 degrees and start a measurement i get readings under 90%.
When i straigthen my wrist and start the next measurement i get readings around 92-94% while i get readings with a finger oxy around 97-98%

one more thing which bothers me is, why can't i sync measurments made at day into garmin connect - i can only see the puls oxy data from sleep

0 Gonzo over 4 years ago in reply to rock2ya

I have given in to that it's a watch, the pulse ox is ball park only.